Church notes - 29th October 2023

 29th

Psalm 27

Psalm 105

James 4:7 - 9

Matthew 11:28 - 30

Matthew 9:9 - 13

Matthew - the Gospel to the Jewish people.

It is likely that Matthew knew Who was calling him.

Tax collectors

- Extorted people for more money than they gave the authorities. More like the Mafia than any modern day tax agency.

- Worked for Rome; the enemy.

We are accepted in Jesus, no matter what we have done.

Rose up.

Matthew left behind his empty life.

Luke 15:15

Contrast

Matthew 8:8 - 20

Did that man follow? or not?

There is a cost to following Jesus.

Where is your comfort and security coming from?

Where our fears are is our baggage.

Fear is a powerful driver.

But Jesus is not calling us to live a life of fear, but to wholly trust in Him.

vs 12

Reference: Hosea 6:6.

Church notes - 22nd October 2023

 22nd

Matthew 8:1 - 4

What you say matters.

vs 1 "If you are willing."

The leper was desperate for help.

vs 2

Jesus says; "I am willing."

The LORD's prayer

Matthew 6:10 'Your will be done.'

Do you actually mean it?

Can I lay down my will?

Can you lay down your will?

What is God saying to us? It is bigger than one person.

Surrender

Lay down your will. Lift up your cross.

Self craving. Narcissism

- A recipe for despair and addiction.

What is God saying?

What we see God as matters, for we become like that.

Read Scripture through the lense of Jesus.

Like refracted light.

See that God is the same all through Scripture.

It is not your will, but His will.

e.g. Jesus at Gethsemane

Matthew 26:39 'Not as I will, but as You will.'

Psalm 37:4

vs

Touch

Why that?

Jesus was making a statement.

Leviticus 13

Living outside the camp.

Look past the disfigurement and love them.

John 13:1 - 17

Prayer: That we would love others as God loves others.

Church notes - 15th October 2023

 15th

Hebrews 13:8

Psalm 107:18

Psalm 34:8

Sermon

John 8:1 - 11

What has the Bible have to do with anything?

Everything!

Context: Jesus at the Feast of Tabernacles. (John 7)

The Jewish leaders wanted to get him.

The woman caught in adultery.

Ark of the Covenant

The mercy seat.

Jesus writing on the ground.

The finger of God.

Daniel 5

Beltshazar using the instruments from the Temple

vs 25 - 28

His days were numbered.

So was the system set up by the Jewish Leaders in the Temple.

vs 7

If any be without sin.

Desire mercy not sacrifice.

vs 9

The older ones may have been more aware of their own sins.

God is kind, but He is not soft.

He is the light of the world.

What other hope?

Challenge: Share the story of the woman with at least one other person.

Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark rating

 Rewatch. 9.22/10.

Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro rating

 Rewatch. The earlier rating is still valid. 9.16/10.

The Rescuers rating

 Rewatch. 8.93/10.

Out of Africa rating

 9.13/10.

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom rating

 Rewatch. The earlier rating is still valid. 8.88/10.

Jurassic World rating

 Rewatch. The earlier rating is still valid. 9/10.

Blackbeard's Ghost rating

 Rewatch. 8.21/10.

Church notes - 8th October 2023

 8th

Psalm 138

1 Corinthians 12:22 - 26

John 4:1 - 38

Samaritans

. Samaritan Woman

It was very unusual that Jesus was talking with a woman.

vs 27

5 Husbands, and with a man whom she wasn't married to.

vs 10 - 12

Spiritual water.

Isaiah 55:1 - 3

We are more than physical beings. God will santify our needs.

vs 12

'Are you greater than Jacob?'

vs 17 - 24

God is everywhere. One doesn't need to worship at a particular place. God will meet us where we are.

We need to come to Him and accept the forgiveness given through Jesus' sacrifice.

vs 36

Jesus stating that He is indeed the Messiah in a profound way.

vs 31 - 34

Spiritual Food. He was doing the work He was sent to do.

What was special about this woman?

In human eyes - nothing.

In God's eyes - everything.

God is calling us to go outside our comfort zone.